Martin Luther King Jr. Northern California Celebration

WRITERCORPS 2007 INFO COMING SOON!

WritersCorps 2006 Martin Luther King Jr.
Freewrite Contest

Each year, San Francisco WritersCorps, a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission, sponsors the Martin Luther King, Jr . FreeWrite Contest . Students write poems about the principles of civil rights, freedom, and service in honor of Dr. King. The winning poem is read on Dr King's birthday.

WritersCorps youth Shawn Williams has won the 2006 Martin Luther King, Jr. FreeWrite Contest for his poem “ Be It .” The 16-year-old Mission High student believes in standing up and speaking his mind about important matters, no matter what the crowd thinks. Shawn is very family oriented, and believes that without his family and God there to support him, he wouldn't be where he is today. He plays shooting-guard for the Mission High Varsity Basketball team. Shawn is an athlete, artist, and poet, and says that he will continue writing until there is nothing left for him to write about. .

BE IT

What’s the use of trying?—
is what my people start to say.

I didn’t get my welfare check
when I was supposed to yesterday.
I go to church like I’m told
and believe in God and pray.
It ain’t no point in going to school.
They won’t give me a job anyway.

I cain’t get out dis hood!—
is what my people always say.
That they ain’t no heroes
like Malcolm X, Dr. King,
Rosa Parks, and Cassius Clay.

That’s nonsense. Who told you that?

We all know one normal boy who became a scripture teacher.
From hometown pastor to revolutionary leader.
It started with boycotting busses, providing for the poor,
and it ended with Washington speeches that opened up new doors

But it didn’t stop there for it continues every day.
After years that we’ve struggled, worked and prayed,
We’re almost there! We’re on our way!
But Dr. King, sometimes we begin to fall astray.

And that’s when we say One Day

One day we’ll live in peace, be happy,
not worry about the crib getting sprayed,
bodies broken on the sidewalk,
layin’ where they may.

One day? . . . No, To-day!
Today is the day
we act on what we say.

You’ve got to be it!

Don’t wait for a messiah
to come lay out a plan!
Don’t wait for some actor
to come play superman!

You’ve got to be it!

Rise up, represent, every
child, woman and man!

Every secretary, bus driver and janitor named Stan.

Don’t wait for the youth
to gain wisdom at their own pace.
Parents, walk up to your kids
and tell’em to they face!

You can be a man, but now’s
the time to take a stand!
It don’t take no money, fame,
or flashy clothes that’s name brand.
All it takes is a voice,
a mind,
a pencil and a hand
to send out a message
that can be heard throughout the land.

And it goes like this:
Today, I will be it!

Yes I can!

Shawn Williams,
Mission High School

WRITERSCORPS , a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission, places professional writers in community settings to teach creative writing to youth. Since its inception in 1994, the program has helped over 12,000 young people from neighborhoods throughout San Francisco improve their literacy and increase their desire to learn. WritersCorps publishes an annual anthology of youth writing, and produces local and national events. The program is part of a national alliance with sites in the Bronx and Washington, D.C., whose shared vision is to transform and strengthen individuals and communities using the written word.

WritersCorps gratefully acknowledges the support of the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association; the Department of Juvenile Probation; the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families; the National Endowment for the Arts; the San Francisco Foundation; the Zellerbach Family Fund; The Youth Arts Fund and individuals.

Gloria Yamato
Program Associate
SFAC/WritersCorps

(415) 252-4655


	WRITERCORPS 2007 INFO COMING SOON! WritersCorps 2006 Martin Luther King Jr. Freewrite Contest Each year, San Francisco WritersCorps, a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission, sponsors the Martin Luther King, Jr . FreeWrite Contest . Students write poems about the principles of civil rights, freedom, and service in honor of Dr. King. The winning poem is read on Dr King's birthday. WritersCorps youth Shawn Williams has won the 2006 Martin Luther King, Jr. FreeWrite Contest for his poem “ Be It .” The 16-year-old Mission High student believes in standing up and speaking his mind about important matters, no matter what the crowd thinks. Shawn is very family oriented, and believes that without his family and God there to support him, he wouldn't be where he is today. He plays shooting-guard for the Mission High Varsity Basketball team. Shawn is an athlete, artist, and poet, and says that he will continue writing until there is nothing left for him to write about. . BE IT What’s the use of trying?— is what my people start to say. I didn’t get my welfare check when I was supposed to yesterday. I go to church like I’m told and believe in God and pray. It ain’t no point in going to school. They won’t give me a job anyway. I cain’t get out dis hood!— is what my people always say. That they ain’t no heroes like Malcolm X, Dr. King, Rosa Parks, and Cassius Clay. That’s nonsense. Who told you that? We all know one normal boy who became a scripture teacher. From hometown pastor to revolutionary leader. It started with boycotting busses, providing for the poor, and it ended with Washington speeches that opened up new doors But it didn’t stop there for it continues every day. After years that we’ve struggled, worked and prayed, We’re almost there! We’re on our way! But Dr. King, sometimes we begin to fall astray. And that’s when we say One Day One day we’ll live in peace, be happy, not worry about the crib getting sprayed, bodies broken on the sidewalk, layin’ where they may. One day? . . . No, To-day! Today is the day we act on what we say. You’ve got to be it! Don’t wait for a messiah to come lay out a plan! Don’t wait for some actor to come play superman! You’ve got to be it! Rise up, represent, every child, woman and man! Every secretary, bus driver and janitor named Stan. Don’t wait for the youth to gain wisdom at their own pace. Parents, walk up to your kids and tell’em to they face! You can be a man, but now’s the time to take a stand! It don’t take no money, fame, or flashy clothes that’s name brand. All it takes is a voice, a mind, a pencil and a hand to send out a message that can be heard throughout the land. And it goes like this: Today, I will be it! Yes I can! Shawn Williams, Mission High School WRITERSCORPS , a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission, places professional writers in community settings to teach creative writing to youth. Since its inception in 1994, the program has helped over 12,000 young people from neighborhoods throughout San Francisco improve their literacy and increase their desire to learn. WritersCorps publishes an annual anthology of youth writing, and produces local and national events. The program is part of a national alliance with sites in the Bronx and Washington, D.C., whose shared vision is to transform and strengthen individuals and communities using the written word. WritersCorps gratefully acknowledges the support of the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association; the Department of Juvenile Probation; the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families; the National Endowment for the Arts; the San Francisco Foundation; the Zellerbach Family Fund; The Youth Arts Fund and individuals. Gloria Yamato Program Associate SFAC/WritersCorps (415) 252-4655